Jessica Drake listens to a question during a news conference at the office of her attorney, Gloria Allred, in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)

Jazz pianist Mike Jones is shown at his home in Las Vegas on Sunday, July 17, 2016. Bill Hughes/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Jazz pianist Mike Jones is shown at his home in Las Vegas on Sunday, July 17, 2016. Bill Hughes/Las Vegas Review-Journal

The KATS! Bureau at this writing is the Cantor Gaming sports book at Hard Rock Hotel, where the place is positively teeming with conventioneers of a different color in town for the Adult Entertainment Expo.

As are reminded every year at AEE, fishnets are hardy used for catching fish anymore.

The visit here is a bit bittersweet. The impending sale of of the Hard Rock to an investment team under Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels brand is expected to close Jody Lake’s term as the hotel’s chief operating officer. No timetable for the transfer of power is established, but expect Lake to remain on board through the end of 2018.

Lake has doubtless made his mark across the property since taking over in 2012. The hotel has expanded its convention area by nearly 20,000 square feet, added retail space with Hudson Group-operated stores, and advanced entertainment by partnering with such famous titles as “Magic Mike” and “The Voice.” All of those projects are set for the long run — “The Voice: Neon Dreams” is being staged in a new, 700-seat venue currently under construction near the old Hard Rock Cafe building.

Around the property, expect a new club to move in to the long-outdated Vanity space. Vinyl will continue to serve as a top music venue with “Raiding the Rock Vault” expected to remain in place for at least the remainder of the year. Look for the new operators to invest in a revamp on the corner of Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road, where the Hard Rock Cafe building needs to be demolished.

That parcel would be great for an open-air, entertainment/retail promenade similar to the Linq or The Park on the Strip. It has to change, somehow, and it will. It’s some choice real estate.

As for Lake, he’ll be embarking on an professional fishing expedition soon enough. Remember to bring a net, Sir.

Drake on the march

Adult-film icon Jessica Drake will expound on just about any topic — save the person her team off-handedly refers to as “45,” President Trump. In October 2016, Drake accused Trump of making a pass at her during the 2006 Nevada’s American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe where she was working a promotional booth on behalf of the adult film company Wicked Pictures (for whom she is still employed).

Drake is adhering to the advice of her counsel, Gloria Allred, to refrain from any public comments about the incident, nor is she willing to talk of Trump. None of her allegations against Trump have been proven true, and the Trump campaign termed the allegations “false and ridiculous” just after they were made public.

Drake has asserted she has not sought any monetary compensation in relation to the alleged incident.

A longtime adult-film actress, director and sex-education advocate, Drake remains one of the industry’s leading ambassadors. On Thursday, she joined Las Vegas author and sex-behavior expert Lynn Comella for an AEE panel discussions.

Comella is the author of “Vibrator Nation: Vibrator Nation: How Feminist Sex-Toy Stores Changed the Business of Pleasure.”

A day earlier, Drake said she had taken part in one of last weekend’s women’s marches in Los Angeles. In 2017, she managed to participate in the walk in Washington, held the day after Trump’s inauguration, though she was also a featured guest at the same time at the AEE in Las Vegas.

During that trip, she and Allred called a news conference at the to specify the allegations against Trump.

“I signed in a booth all day long, then took a red-eye back to Washington, got there at about 7 o’clock in the morning to be in this massive gathering of people there,” Drake said. “At one point I had to remove myself from that human bottleneck, to get to the Baltimore airport to be back in Las Vegas in time for the AVN awards.

“But I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. I needed to be there.”

She said she is often derided for her adult-film affiliation when she enters a protest event, or promotes sex education and awareness.

“The classic line is, ‘Stick to what you do best, (graphic sexual act not permitted in this column),’ ” she said. “I am told that, all the time.”

Is O.J. too ‘renegade?’

“Renegades,” a show starring a trio of rebellious athletes, has just opened at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace. The production launches with Jose Canseco, Jim McMahon and Jimmy King as the “Renegade” athletes. Terrell Owens replaces King on Feb. 8. The plan is for the lineup to be swapped out with three new athletes every three months.

And O.J. Simpson, who is a famous ex-athlete, happens to live in Las Vegas.

See where we’re going with this?

I asked “Renegades” co-producer Rich Lenkov if he would be willing to put Simpson onstage at Caesars.

“You know, O.J. certainly fits the bill as a renegade,” Lenkov said in a recent phone interview. “Whether he meets our needs is something we’d have to discuss. There are people who certainly would not be a fit for a variety of reasons … He might be a fit, but we haven’t talked to him yet.”

I would not bet on a Simpson appearance at The Barge. Lenkov doesn’t seem to need to dig that deep; his wish list of athletes he could sign to the show before Simpson is more than 200 names long.

Penn and Jonesy

Early arrivers to the Penn & Teller show at the Rio are always treated to a pre-performance jazz jam by the wonderful pianist Mike “Jonesy” Jones and his bee-bop bassist, Penn Jillette. The two have issued a CD, “The Show Before the Show,” available now exclusively at the gift shop at Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio.

The collection of songs, performed by the duo at the theater, will be released online March 16.

Arbor View football coach Dan Barnson stepped down Friday after 12 seasons at the helm. Under Barnson, the Aggies won 104 games and became one of the top programs in Las Vegas. The Aggies went 12-2 in 2018 and won a region championship for the first time in program history. Barnson loves Friday nights, but said the 12-month commitment was getting exhausting.

Highlights from round 9 of the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from the Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas, Nevada. (CBS Sports Network/PRCA)

NFR 2018- Will Lummus Leads in Steer Wrestling

As NFR 2018 enters day nine, steer wrestler Will Lummus continues to see his name at the top of the standings. Las Vegas Review Journal host Cassie Soto speaks with the Mississippi native about his excitement to be participating in his first ever NFR.

NFR has bull riding, saddle bronc, barrel racing, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, and bareback riding but one of the most important part of the rodeo according to construction maintenance manager Allen Rheinheimer is the dirt that they all take place in. Review-Journal sports writer Ed Graney chats with Rheinheimer and ground man John Jamison to get an inside look at the dirt in Thomas & Mack at the National Finals Rodeo.

North Las Vegas Pedestrian-cyclist Survey

North Las Vegas officials are seeking comments from residents in hopes of bettering their experience in the city. An online survey has been set up for citizens to share their opinions and give their suggestions.

NFR Day 8 Highlights

Highlights from round 8 of the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from the Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas, Nevada. (CBS Sports Network/PRCA)

NFR - Wyatt Denny Talks About Representing Nevada

NFR Bareback Rider Wyatt Denny talks to host Cassie Soto about being the only Nevada representative in the NFR this year and his skiing talent.

Junior NFR Offers Breakaway Roping for Girls

Unlike the NFR at the Thomas and Mack Center, the Junior NFR at the Las Vegas Convention Center offers breakaway roping for girls 19-and under. This event allows the young women of rodeo one more event to participate in, aside from barrel racing.

North Las Vegas Pedestrian-Cyclist Survey

North Las Vegas officials are seeking comments from residents in hopes of bettering their experience in the city. An online survey has been set up for citizens to share their opinions and give their suggestions.

NFR Day 7 Highlights

Highlights from the 7th go-round of the 2018 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (CBS Sports Network/PRCA)

NFR- Jessica Routier

NFR Barrel Racer Jessica Routier talks about being at her first NFR, her horses, and her family with Cassie Soto in front of Thomas & Mack before round 7 of the National Finals Rodeo.

The Nevada State Museum

The Nevada State Museum of Las Vegas, located at the Springs Preserve, covers all eras of the state, from prehistoric to today.

NFR Day 6 Highlights

Highlights from the 6th go-round of the 2018 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (CBS Sports Network/PRCA)

Las Vegas Bowl Teams Talk Shop at Maverick Helicopters

Arizona State, Fresno State talk to the media at Maverick Helicopters.

NFR- Will Lowe

NFR Bareback Rider Will Lowe talks with Aaron Drawhorn about his 15 years at the NFR, starting to ride at age 7, and renewing his wedding vowels this year in Las Vegas before night 6 of the National Finals Rodeo.

Veterans Village

Veterans Village and Veterans Village II were created to assist homeless veterans get back on their feet. (Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Holiday party cocktails

Veterans Village II Unveils Model Container Home

Veteran's Village II unveiled a model container home. The organization will be building 10 of these container homes to house veterans of the village. Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal

NFR Day 5 Highlights

NFR Day 5 Highlights

NFR- Kory Koontz

NFR Team Roper Kory Koontz talks about his years at the event since 1992, his dynamic with a 23 year old partner Dustin Egusquiza, and how he contines to perform with diabetes with Aaron Drawhorn outside of Thomas & Mack before round 5 of the National Rodeo Finals.

Red Plate on the Las Vegas Strip serves a cocktail made with blooming jasmine tea

Red Plate on the Las Vegas Strip serves a cocktail made with jasmine tea

Benny the Ice Skating Dog

Benny is a Las Vegas Labrador who was rescued by former pro skater Cheryl Del Sanyo, and trained to ice skate. (Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Nevada State Museum

The Nevada State Museum of Las Vegas, located at the Springs Preserve, covers all eras of the state, from prehistoric to today.

Throw a better dinner party

Cash appears at Baseball Winter Meetings

Lights FC mascot Cash plays the electronic drums at the EZ Inflatables’ booth on Tuesday at the Baseball Winter Meetings trade show at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

5 albums to soundtrack your holiday gatherings in style

1. Various Artists, “Holidays Rule," with Rufus Wainwright, The Shins, Calexico and more.
2. Various Artists, “We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year," with Lemmy Kilmister, Alice Cooper, Chuck Billy and others.
3. Various Artists, “Christmas on Death Row," featuring Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg to name but a few.
4. Bright Eyes, “A Christmas Album.”
5. Various Artists, "The Motown Christmas Album." (Jason Bracelin/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Inside the kitchen at Springs Preserve

The staff of Divine Events do party preparation in the kitchen at Divine Cafe at Springs Preserve. With nine parties the following day, this is a particularly busy time for the crew. (Heidi Knapp Rinella/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

WinterFest

WinterFest in Henderson.

Miss Rodeo America Fashion Show

The 28 women contestants of Miss Rodeo America compete in a fashion show at the Tropicana on Dec. 7, 2018.

Tournament Of Kings Holiday Show

Wizards and warriors are ready for the holidays at Excalibur's Tournament of Kings Holiday Dinner Show.

Take a dive with the Silverton mermaids

A visit to the Silverton Casino Hotel is not complete without taking in the popular, and very unique, mermaid show.

Cowboys and western aficionados can buy virtually anything at Cowboy Christmas

Vegas Golden Knights Christmas Display

In the Las Vegas Valley, the chances of getting a white Christmas are slim. But this year, you can have a “Knight” Christmas. A Henderson resident has a Christmas lights display that is synchronized to the entrance music for the Golden Knights. GG Misa’s Knights light show is played every 30 minutes from 5 to 10 nightly. His light show consists of two songs: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and the entrance music, “Le Castle Vania,” from the movie “John Wick.” The display is located at 730 Bollons Island St. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Reivew-Journal)

Holiday Hooch At El Cortez is Just in Time For Repeal Day And Christmas

Holiday Hooch At El Cortez Is Just In Time For Repeal Day And Christmas. Janna Karel/Las Vegas Review-Journal

TV's LGBT superheroes

Green Valley Ranch's Winter's Village

The Mob Museum

Best Friend Menu Reveal Wednesday

Chef Roy Choi tells us what to expect from Wednesday’s Facebook Live Menu Reveal for his new Park MGM restaurant Best Friend. (Al Mancini/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Quick Chat With Criss Angel

James D. Gish and Susan Anton rehearse

Susan Anton will be special guest at James D. Gish’s holiday concerts Dec. 7 at Summerlin Library and Dec. 9 at Clark County Library. (John Przybys/Las Vegas Review-Journal)